Marketplace Roundup

In Boston, Jenn Abelson reports Kayem Foods has signed a multiyear deal as the official frank and sausage of the Patriots, "just a year" after the Boston-based company became the official hot dog of the Red Sox and Fenway Park. Kayem "beat out hot dog incumbent Game Day Foods of Framingham to score the official designation" with the Patriots. Team-branded "franks and sausages will be available to fans at games and retail stores throughout New England" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/10).

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER: Toronto-based collectibles company Frameworth Sports Marketing VP Brian Ducheck said Penguins C Sidney Crosby has "far and away" the most popular athlete autograph in Canada, but the "gap is closing." Ducheck: "With Chicago winning the Cup, and his great showing at the Olympics, Jonathan Toews has quickly come up to second." When asked if Canadian autograph buyers are interested in NBA players, Ducheck said, "Our experience with NBA is similar to with baseball and even football: it’s really difficult to get local interest high enough." The Raptors have had star players like Vince Carter and Chris Bosh, but Ducheck said "the sales just didn't come" (TORONTO STAR, 11/10).

FALLING STAR: CNBC.com's Darren Rovell noted Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is "hurting thanks to his on-the-field product," with the Cowboys 1-7, but he is "likely hurting just as much from what’s going on off of it." While the rest of the NFL "allows the league to cut deals for its licensed products, Jones’ team cut deals themselves." So in "times of prosperity, running the supply chain helps them control costs and earn higher profits." But that "relies on selling well." The Cowboys "are surely cutting deals based on projected volume and if the gear doesn’t move, they’re stuck with it" (CNBC.com, 11/9).